Spill preventing container lid

ABSTRACT

A spill-preventing lid for a container comprises a lid body having a top, a bottom, a peripheral flange and a drink opening through the body from the bottom to the top, and a spill-preventing baffle, the baffle comprising a wall extending downwardly from the bottom of the lid body, the baffle having a top and a bottom, the top of the baffle communicating with the drink opening, at least one opening in the bottom, and a passage leading from the at least one opening in the bottom to the top, allowing liquid to flow from the container into the baffle, though the passaged defined by the baffle and to the drink opening, the at least one opening in the bottom being substantially smaller in dimension than the dimension of the drink opening.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 63/192,022 filed May 23, 2021 and U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 63/218,301, filed Jul. 3, 2021. Each of said applications areincorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to liquid containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various containers are known for containing liquids or fluids. Some ofthese containers are designed to allow a user to drink the liquid fromthe container. Such containers may comprise, for example, bottles, cansand cups.

One common drink container is a cup. Cups may have different shapes andsizes, but they generally share the feature of an open top. A problemwith this configuration is that the liquid contained in the cup caneasily spill out of the cup, such as if the cup is tipped over or ifforce is applied to the cup (such as if the cup bounces).

In order to maintain the liquid in a cup, a lid may be located at thetop of the cup. However, in order to allow a user to still access theliquid in the cup without removing the lid (such as to drink the liquidor pour it from the cup), the lid must include one or more openings.These openings, however, also then present locations where the liquidmay again undesirably escape from the cup.

For example, FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a common disposable cuplid L for use with a disposable cup C. The cup lid L is configured to beconnected to a top rim of the cup C and to generally close the top ofthe cup. However, the cup lid includes a drink opening O through which auser may drink liquid from the cup.

As shown in FIG. 1, a problem with this design is that if a force isapplied to the cup, the fluid F in the cup will move within the cup Cand can simply flow directly out of the drink opening O. Thus, fluid Fmay unintentionally flow through the lid L and out of the cup C (e.g. a“spill”).

Many attempts have been made at addressing this problem.

First, the lid can be created with an opening which accepts a straw.This requires that the user have or be supplied with a straw. Further,many users do not like to drink through a straw, particularly when thedrink is a hot drink.

Another common solution is to provide a removable stopper. The stoppermay be located in the drink opening to block or close the opening. Theproblem is that the stopper has to be removed and replaced each time theuser wishes to dispense liquid through the drink opening. In the case ofa vendor providing the cup and lid, the vendor then also has to stockand supply stoppers to their customers, at increased cost. The user canalso lose the stopper.

Other lids have been designed with an openable and closeable flap. Theflap may comprise a portion of the lid which can be moved between openand closed positions. The flapper avoids the need for a separatestopper, but still suffers from the drawback that the user must open theflap in order to access the drink opening and to re-close the flap inorder to close the drink opening thereafter.

Accordingly, a need exists to provide an improved liquid dispensingcontainer, and particular, an improved disposable lid for a cup, such asa disposable cup, which lid is spill-preventing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the invention comprise spill-prevention technology. Oneaspect of the invention comprises a container having spill-preventiontechnology. In one embodiment, the container is a cup having a lid,where the spill-prevention technology is associated with the lid.

In various embodiments, the spill-preventing technology comprises atleast one fluid energy dissipating and/or diverting element.

Other aspects of the invention comprises a method of producing a lidhaving spill-prevention technology of the invention.

In one embodiment, a spill-preventing lid for a container comprises alid body having a top, a bottom, a peripheral flange and a drink openingthrough the body from the bottom to the top, and a spill-preventingbaffle, the baffle comprising a wall extending downwardly from thebottom of the lid body, the baffle having a top and a bottom, the top ofthe baffle communicating with the drink opening, at least one opening inthe bottom, and a passage leading from the at least one opening in thebottom to the top, allowing liquid to flow from the container into thebaffle, through the passaged defined by the baffle and to the drinkopening, the at least one opening in the bottom being substantiallysmaller in dimension than the dimension of the drink opening.

Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention overthe prior art will become apparent from the detailed description of thedrawings which follows, when considered with the attached figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a cup lid in accordance with anembodiment of the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a container, such as a cup, whichmay be provided with a lit having spill prevention technology inaccordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 3A-F illustrate a container lid having spill prevention technologyin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a plurality of lids of the present invention in astacked relationship;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a cup with a lid in accordance withthe present invention; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate lids having spill prevention technology inaccordance with alternate embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a more thorough description of the present invention.It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that thepresent invention may be practiced without these specific details. Inother instances, well-known features have not been described in detailso as not to obscure the invention.

One embodiment of the invention is a container having spill-preventiontechnology. In one embodiment, the container is a cup having a lid,where the spill-prevention technology is associated with the lid. In oneembodiment, the spill-preventing technology comprises at least one fluidenergy dissipating and/or diverting element. The at least one fluidenergy dissipating and/or diverting element may comprise at least onebaffle, where the baffle is associated with, such as by being locatedadjacent to, a drink opening of the lid.

Container

One embodiment of the invention will be described with reference firstto FIG. 2. FIG. 2 illustrates a container 20. In one embodiment, thecontainer 20 is configured as a cup 22, such as by having a body whichis defined by a bottom 24 and an upwardly extending sidewall 26. Thebottom 24 may be generally planar. The sidewall 26 preferably extendsupwardly from the bottom 24 vertically or generally vertically (such asby having a negative draft moving away from the bottom 24).

In one embodiment, the cup 22 may be generally cylindrical in shape,having a generally circular cross-sectional shape, The bottom 24 maythus be generally circular and the sidewall 26 may be generallycylindrical.

In one embodiment, the top of the sidewall 26 comprises or defines a rim28. The rim 28 might define a lip or otherwise comprise an area ofincreased cross-sectional area as compared to the remainder of the wall.For example, the rim 28 might define a lip or bead which is generallycircular in cross-sectional shape. The rim 28 defines a generally opentop 30 of the cup 22, the open top 30 being generally opposite thebottom 24.

In one embodiment, the container 20 may be disposable, such asconstructed from paper stock, plastic, Styrofoam or the like. However,the container 20 could be constructed from other materials, such asplastic, metal (aluminum), glass, etc.

It is noted that while the container 20 preferably comprises a cup 22,the container could have other configurations. For example, thecontainer 20 could be constructed as a generally cylindrical can, suchas is common for the configuration of pop/soda containers.

In one embodiment, the container 20 has a top. The top could be integralto the body, or be connected thereto. For example, when the container 20is configured as a can, the top of the container may be integral (suchas by being physically and essentially permanently joined to thesidewall of the container during the manufacturing process).

In a preferred embodiment, the top comprises a removable lid 100. In aconfiguration where the container 20 is designed to be disposable, somay be the lid 100, such as by being constructed of plastic or a similarmaterial.

One embodiment, of a lid 100 of the invention will be described withreference to FIG. 3. The lid 100 preferably comprise a body having a top102, a generally opposing bottom 104, and a peripheral edge 106. In apreferred embodiment, the lid 100 may generally have a front 108, a rear110 and a pair of opposing sides 112,114, in reference to a lid 100having features as described below.

The lid 100 is preferably configured to engage the cup 22, such as therim 28, and generally close the open top 30 thereof. In one embodiment,the lid 100 is selectively connectable to the cup 22, thus allowing thelid 100 to be connected to or removed from the cup 22.

In one embodiment, the lid 100 is configured to engage the rim 28 of thecup 22. In one embodiment, the peripheral edge 106 of the lid 100defines a rim-accepting flange 116. This flange 116 is designed toextend over and capture the rim 28 of the cup 22. Preferably, the flange116 can flex, thus allowing at least a portion thereof to move outwardlyover the rim 28 and then bias or flex back inwardly to capture the rim28, thus securing the lid 100 to the cup 22. In one embodiment, a bottomof the flange 106 may define a lower edge of the bottom 104 of the lid100.

In one embodiment, the lid 100 may define or comprise a raised area 120.The raised area 120 preferably extends upwardly above one or more otherportions of the lid 100, such as the peripheral edge 106. In oneembodiment, at least a portion of the raised area 120 is locatedadjacent to the peripheral edge 106. As best illustrated in FIG. 3C, theraised area 120 need not have the same elevation in all areas. Forexample, a highest elevation of the raised area 120 may be located atthe front 108 of the lid 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 3D, this design causes the lid 100 to have acentral section 124 which is generally planar, a raised area 120 aroundthe central section 124, and then a downwardly extending flange 116,which flange 116 extends below the central section 124.

The lid 100 preferably comprises at least one drink opening 122 (whileone is preferred, the lid 100 could have more than one). In a preferredembodiment, the drink opening 122 is associated with the raised area120, such as by being defined through a top of the raised area. Asillustrated, the drink opening 122 may be located at the front 108 ofthe lid 100.

The shape of the drink opening 122 may vary. In one embodiment, thedrink opening 122 is longer (in the side 112 to side 114) direction thanit is wide (in the front 108 to back 110 direction). In one embodiment,the drink opening 122 may be generally oval in shape.

Spill Prevention Technology

Most importantly, the container 20 has spill prevention technology.Preferably this technology is associated with the top of the container20. In the case of the container 20 which comprises a cup 22 having alid 100, the spill prevention technology is associated with the lid 100.In one embodiment, the spill prevention technology comprises a baffle200. The baffle 200 is configured to dissipate fluid energy and/or todivert or redirect fluid.

One embodiment of a fluid dissipation and diversion element isillustrated in FIGS. 3E and 3F. In one embodiment, the baffle 200extends downwardly from the bottom of the lid 100 at, or adjacent to,the drink opening 122. In the illustrated embodiment, the baffle 200comprise a body or wall 202 that extends downwardly from the lid 100 atthe drink opening 122. In one embodiment, the baffle 200 has a first ortop end and a second or bottom end 206, and defines a passage 204. Inone embodiment, the top end of the baffle 200 is located at the drinkopening 122, such that the passage 204 leads to or forms and extensionof the drink opening 122, in a downward direction.

When the drink opening 122 is generally oval in shape, the wall 202 mayhave generally the same peripheral shape and the passage 204 definedthereby may be similar in shape. However, in other embodiments, thebaffle 200, including the wall 202 and passage 204, may have shapeswhich differ from that of the drink opening 122.

In one embodiment, the wall 202 extends downwardly from the bottom 104of the lid 100 at the drink opening 122 generally parallel thereto. Inone embodiment, as described in more detail below, the wall 202 ispreferably formed in a molding process with the lid 100, such that thewall 202 comprises the same material as the lid 100 and is contiguouswith the body of the lid 100 (for example, by press or compressionmolding a flat piece of stock (such as plastic) or by injectionmolding).

In one embodiment (such as where, as illustrated, the baffle 200 is notcircular in cross-sectional shape), the baffle 200 may have differentsides or wall portions, such as a front and back and a pair of opposingsides. One or more portions of the wall 202 may extend downwardly fromthe lid 100 different distances than other portions. For example, in thepreferred embodiment, a rear portion (closest to the rear 110 of the lid100) may extend downwardly further than a front portion (closest to thefront 108 of the lid).

In one embodiment, the baffle 200 has a bottom or bottom end 206. Thebottom end 206 is preferably generally closed. When one or more portionsof the wall 202 extend downwardly different distances, the bottom end206 may be tilted (e.g. not lie in a horizontal plane or a plane whichis parallel to the bottom edge of the lid 100). For example, in thepreferred embodiment where the rear of the wall 202 extends downwardlyfurther than the front, the bottom end 206 may tilt upwardly moving fromthe rear 110 of the lid 100 towards the front 108

In one embodiment, one or more openings 210 (which may be referred to as“flow openings”) are provided for allowing fluid to pass through thebaffle 200 to the drink opening 122. In one embodiment, one or moreperforations or apertures are defined in the baffle 200 and allow fluidto flow from the container 20 and through the baffle 200 into thepassage 204 and thereon to the drink opening 122.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3B, 3E and 3F, the one or more openings 210 areprovided in the bottom 206 of the baffle 200. The openings 210 mighthave various shapes and sizes. In a preferred embodiment, the openings210 may themselves be elongate or oblong. In one embodiment, the passage204 is about 16 mm long and 6.88 mm wide. In one embodiment, theopenings 210 are about 3.48 mm long and 1.5 mm wide, and four openings210 are provided, spaced from one another by about 1.5 mm. Of course,the size and shape of the openings 210 may depend upon the size andshape of the baffle 200, including the bottom 206 thereof. In general,however, the openings 210 are preferably relatively small in dimension(in relation to the passage 204 and/or drink opening 122) in order toreduce the flow of fluid therethrough.

In one embodiment, the length of the baffle 200 (e.g. the distance thatit extends downwardly below the drink opening 122) may be at least 14 to25 mm (total distance). In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 3F the baffle 200 extends downwardly below the bottom of thecentral section 124 of the lid. In such a configuration, the wall 202 ofthe baffle 200 extends downwardly to a point where fluid can impact thebaffle, so that the baffle 200 is effective in dissipating fluid energyand thus the motion of the fluid in the container. Further, thisdistance is effective in preventing fluid from unintentionallytravelling upwardly through the passage 204—in particular, even fluidwith substantial upward energy/momentum will have insufficient energy toovercome gravity and travel through the passage 204 to the drink opening122.

In one embodiment, as described above, the lid 100 is preferably formedin a molding process, where the baffle 200 is formed as part of the lid100. In one embodiment, the one or more openings 210 may be formed inthe manufacturing process. For example, once the lid is formed in themolding process, the lid 100 may be inverted and the bottom 206 of thebaffle 200 may be punched or pierced in order to form the openings 210.In other embodiments, the baffle 200 might be perforated with a laser orthe like.

In a preferred embodiment, and as illustrated in FIG. 4 the lid 100 isintegrally stackable with other lids, meaning that one lid 100 can beplaced on another with mating portions thereof located adjacent to oneanother (e.g. not merely set upon one another so that a bottom-mostportion of one lid engages the top-most portion of another lid). Thisconfiguration is advantageous because it reduced the space the lids 100occupy during transport and storage.

In order to facilitate this stacking arrangement, walls of the raisedarea 120 and the bottom of the flange 160 have a negative draft (e.g.tapers outwardly, when moving in the direction of the top 102 to thebottom 104 of the lid 100). Most importantly, as illustrated in FIG. 4,the wall 202 of the baffle 200 has a positive draft (e.g. tapersinwardly, when moving in the direction of the top 102 towards the bottom104 of the lid 100). This allows the downwardly extending baffle 200 ofone lid 100 to fit through the drink opening 122 and into the passage204 of the baffle 200 of a lid beneath it, thereby allowing the lids 200to be stacked in an inter-engaging arrangement.

Advantages of the Invention

The baffle 200 described above and the container 20 having a lid 100with such a baffle 200, has particular advantages. A first advantage isthat the baffle 200 reduces the energy of fluid moving towards the drinkopening 122. The baffle 200 also diverts fluid away from the drinkopening 122. For example, referring to FIG. 5, fluid that is movinggenerally laterally in the cup 20 hits the wall 202 of the baffle 200,which impedes the flow of fluid to the drink opening 122. Fluid that ismoving towards the bottom 206 of the baffle 200 must flow through theopenings 216 in order to enter the passage 204 and flow to the drinkopening 122. This requires that the fluid flow through the openings 210.Due to the size and location of the openings 210, the baffle 200 slows(reduces the energy) of fluid flowing into the passage 204, reducing thechance that fluid has sufficient energy to travel upwardly through thebaffle 200 and out of the drink opening 122.

The baffle 200 is thus effective in preventing the unwanted dispensingof fluid from the container 20 through the drink opening 122, such as ifthe container 20 is jostled, bounces or the like (such as when beingcarried, moved in a car, etc.).

Advantageously, however, a user can freely/intentionally dispense liquidfrom the container 20. By tipping the container 20, the user can allowfluid to cover the baffle 200 and then flow through the openings 210into the passage 204 and to the drink opening 122, such as for drinkingby the user.

Additional Aspects of the Invention

It will be appreciated that while the baffle 200 which is describedabove has particular advantages, the one or more baffles may have avariety of shapes (including sizes) and may include baffles havingdifferent shapes.

The one or more baffles may be solid or may define one or more openingsor apertures, such as perforations, passages, etc. The openings,apertures, passages or other features might have the same size/shape orhave different sizes and/or shapes, including based upon the location ofthe baffle.

The one or more baffles may have smooth surfaces or might comprise roughor modified surfaces, such as surfaces having features designed tointeract with fluid to absorb energy from fluid and/or slow the movementof fluid.

The one or more baffles might be movable or have one or more movableportions, such as comprising movable flaps.

As indicated herein, embodiments of the invention may apply tocontainers of various configurations, including cans, bottles, cups,jugs, carafes, jars, etc. Such containers may be constructed fromvarious materials including paper, plastic, foams, metal, glass, etc.

As indicated, the spill-prevention technology, such as the one or morebaffles, might be associated with the top of a container, where the topdoes not comprise a removable lid. The one or more baffles may be usedwith lids having different configurations, including shapes, than thelid 100 illustrated in FIG. 3. As one example, the lid might begenerally planar on the top or bottom (rather than having a raisedarea), or might have a central depressed area. The lid might alsoinclude one or more air holes. Further, instead of being designed topress fit onto the top rim of a cup, the lid might be configured toscrew onto the cup, press fit into the cup or otherwise connect to thecup.

In a preferred embodiment, the one or more baffles which are associatedwith the container, such as the lid thereof, are designed to divertfluid (such as away from a drink opening), dissipate fluid energy,create redirecting fluid currents, and/or create cancelling fluid wavesor currents, such as to divert fluid from or reduced the energy of fluidflow towards, a drink opening of the lid. In this regard, the one ormore baffles might comprise or be referred to as barriers, diverters,obstacles, etc.

In one embodiment, the one or more baffles are associated with acontainer lid and an associated drink opening. In other embodiments, theone or more baffles may be associated with the container lid but bespaced from the one or more drink openings. In other embodiments, theone or more baffles may be associated with other portions of thecontainer, such as main body thereof (such as the cup portion, a lowercan portion) or a bottom portion. The one or more baffles may extendupwardly from the container, such as the lid thereof—such as by defininga passage which leads upwardly to a raised drink opening.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the baffle mightessentially be integrated into the lid, such as by having the wallportion 202 thereof comprise a portion of the raised area 120 of thelid. Once again, the baffle 200 thus defines a passage 204 that extendsfrom a bottom 206 of the baffle 200 upwardly to the drink opening 122 atthe top surface of the lid 100.

In one embodiment, the wall or walls of the baffle 200 may extenddownwardly generally perpendicular to the lid and may be generallystraight. However, one or more portions of the baffle 200 might extendaway from the lid 100 at an angle. Further, one or more portions of thebaffle 200, such as one or more portions of the wall 202, might becurved (including arched, parabolic, etc.), such as to increase thesurface area of the baffle 200, such as illustrated in FIG. 7.

In one embodiment, the one or more baffles may comprise a diverter,arch, or a wedge shaped element. A diverter may comprise a body thatextends downwardly, such as from the bottom of a lid, in order to divertfluid away from an opening. The diverter might comprise, for example, adownwardly extending wall, where the wall may have various shapes. Whenthe drink opening is positioned on the near side of the lid, thediverter might be located on the opposite side of the drink opening. Asdescribed above, a baffle may comprise a wedge shaped section or elementthat comprises a walled element which extends downwardly from the lid orupwardly from the lid at the drink opening, where the wedge shapedsection may taper.

In some embodiments, combinations of two or more baffles might beutilized. For example, a baffle comprising a wedge shaped section suchas described above might be associated with the drink opening. Anotherbaffle comprising a diverter might be spaced from the wedge shapedsection.

The following are other examples of potential variations or features ofthe invention:

In one embodiment, the bottom surface of the baffle is angled towards anopening.

In one embodiment, the bottom surface of the baffle is arched towards anopening.

In one embodiment, lids are produced upside down.

In one embodiment, lids are manufactured with the baffle ontop/extending upwardly, such as to a raised drink opening.

In one embodiment, openings in lids are made from underneath.

In one embodiment, openings in lids are punched from underneath.

In one embodiment, the openings in lids are made from above the lid.

In one embodiment, the openings in lids are punched from above the lid.

In one embodiment, the baffle reduces direct flow to an opening.

In one embodiment, the baffle impedes the flow of contents to anopening.

In one embodiment, one or more baffles are used to reduce flow to anopening.

In one embodiment, one or more baffles impede the flow of contents to anopening.

In one embodiment, the baffle extends just below the top of the lid.

In one embodiment, the baffle extends down between the top of the lid tothe bottom edge of the lid.

In one embodiment, the baffle extends down below the bottom edge orflange of the lid.

In one embodiment, there are flow openings on the front surface or wallof the baffle.

In one embodiment, there are flow openings on the bottom of the baffle.

In one embodiment, there are flow openings on a left side or wallportion of the baffle.

In one embodiment, there are flow openings on the right side or wallportion of the baffle.

In one embodiment, there are flow openings on a front and/or rear of thebaffle.

In one embodiment, there are flow openings on two or more surfaces onthe baffle.

In one embodiment, the flow openings in the baffle are positioned awayfrom an opening.

In one embodiment, the flow openings in the baffle are random across oneor more surfaces thereof.

In one embodiment, the flow openings in the baffle are a combination ofone or more of the arrangements described herein.

In one embodiment, the drink opening is arched away from the nearest orfront edge of the container.

In one embodiment, a horizontal shape of the baffle is congruent withthe horizontal shape of the drink opening in the lid or cover.

In one embodiment, a horizontal shape of the baffle is congruent withthe horizontal outline of the uppermost opening in the lid or cover.

In one embodiment, the shape of the drink opening in the lid is the sameshape as the baffle below.

In one embodiment, the shape of the drink opening in the lid iscongruent with the shape of the baffle.

In one embodiment, one or more baffles are used to redirect the contentsof a container.

In one embodiment, one or more baffles are used to create countercurrents inside a container.

In one embodiment, one or more baffles are used to change momentum offluid inside a container.

In one embodiment, one or more partial baffles are used to redirect thecontents of a container.

In one embodiment, one or more partial baffles are used to reduce thedirect flow of liquid in a container towards an opening.

In one embodiment, one or more partial baffles are used to createcounter currents inside a container.

In one embodiment, one or more partial baffles are used to changemomentum inside a container.

In one embodiment, one or more baffles are used to create vorticesinside a container.

In one embodiment, one or more partial baffles are used to createvortices inside a container.

In one embodiment, the opening (such as a drink opening) of a containeris sealed except for such an opening surrounded by several smallopenings (such as flow openings).

In one embodiment, the smaller flow openings are close enough to allowcohesion of liquids leaving the container.

In one embodiment, the smaller flow openings are large enough to allowair to pass into the container when it is emptied.

In one embodiment, one or more baffles, such as wedge shaped sections,are used to redirect momentum inside a container.

In one embodiment, one or more baffles, such as wedge shaped sections,are used to redirect energy inside a container.

In one embodiment, the one or more baffles are attached to the under thesurface of a container (such as a lid thereof), away from a drinkopening angled generally toward the closest edge of container (such as alid thereof).

In one embodiment, the one or more baffles extend almost to an edge of acontainer (such as a lid thereof) such that contents are forced to passaround the baffle(s) before exiting through a drink opening.

In one embodiment, the one or more baffles extend all the way to theedge of a container (such as a lid thereof).

In one embodiment, the one or more baffles are not perforated.

In one embodiment, the one or more baffles are perforated with one ormore flow openings.

In one embodiment, the perforated or flow openings in the baffle(s) arethe same size.

In one embodiment, the perforated or flow openings in the baffle(s) varyin size.

In one embodiment, larger perforated or flow openings in the baffle(s)are generally positioned farther away from the drink opening.

In one embodiment, the perforated or flow openings in the one or morebaffles are the same shape.

In one embodiment, the perforated or flow openings in the one or morebaffles are the same shape.

In one embodiment, the perforated or flow openings in the one or morebaffles are different shapes.

In one embodiment, the flow openings in the one or more baffles haveflaps.

In one embodiment, the lid includes a baffle comprising a wedge shapedsection that is attached to or located at the drink opening and extendsdownward into the container.

In one embodiment, the lid includes a baffle comprising a wedge shapedsection that is attached to the drink opening and extends upward out ofthe container, above the lid.

In one embodiment, the wedge shaped section is not perforated/does notinclude flow openings.

In one embodiment, the wedge shaped section is perforated with many flowopenings that are generally smaller than the drink opening.

In one embodiment, the wedge shaped section is perforated with one ormore flow openings.

In one embodiment, the perforated or flow openings in the wedge shapedsection are the same size.

In one embodiment, the perforated or flow openings in the wedge shapedsection vary in size.

In one embodiment, the one or more baffles, such as the wedge shapedsection, may be detached from the lid.

In one embodiment, the flow openings in the wedge shaped section haveflaps.

In one embodiment, the wedge shaped section may be detached from thelid.

In one embodiment, the wedge shaped section may be re-attached to thelid.

In one embodiment, a baffle or portion thereof a drink opening may be apartial or complete sphere, tetrahedron, hexahedron, octahedron,dodecahedron, icosahedron, random shape, or other general barrier thatobstructs flow, and may consist of perforated concentric shapes.

In one embodiment, the baffle or portion thereof below a drink openingmay be partial or complete sphere, tetrahedron, hexahedron, octahedron,dodecahedron, icosahedron, random shape, or other general barrier thatobstructs flow, and may consist of perforated concentric shapes.

In one embodiment, one or more baffles may also be applied to acontainer or lid air hole.

In one embodiment, the one or more baffles are is made of a differentmaterial than the container and/or lid.

In one embodiment, the one or more baffles are made of the same materialas the container and/or lid.

In one embodiment, the wedge shaped section is made of a differentmaterial than the container and/or lid.

In one embodiment, openings or perforations in the one or more baffles,such as wedge shaped section. are made by heat, energy, electricity,lasers, drills, three dimensional printing, punches or similarprocesses.

In one embodiment, perforations in the one more baffles, such as adiverter, are made by heat, energy, electricity, lasers, drills,three-dimensional printing, punches or similar processes.

In one embodiment, one or more portions of the one or more baffles, suchas a wedge shaped section, are supported to maintain structuralintegrity during manufacturing.

In one embodiment, one or more portions of the one or more baffles, suchas sides of a diverter, are supported to maintain structural integrityduring manufacturing.

In one embodiment, the wedge shaped section consists of parabolic shapedcups oriented with the bottom of the cup generally pointed upwards,wherein the cups may be perforated or not perforated.

It will be understood that the above described arrangements of apparatusand the method there from are merely illustrative of applications of theprinciples of this invention and many other embodiments andmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as defined in the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A spill-preventing lid for a containercomprising: a lid body having a top, a bottom and a peripheral flange; adrink opening in said lid body; and a spill-preventing baffle, saidbaffle comprising a wall extending downwardly from said bottom of saidlid body, said baffle having a top and a bottom, said top of said bafflecommunicating with said drink opening, at least one opening in saidbottom and/or said wall, and a passage leading from said at least oneopening to said top, allowing liquid to flow from said container intosaid baffle, though said passaged defined by said baffle and to saiddrink opening, said at least one opening in said bottom beingsubstantially smaller in dimension than the dimension of said drinkopening.
 2. The spill-preventing lid in accordance with claim 1, whereinsaid drink opening is located in a raised portion of said lid body. 3.The spill-preventing lid in accordance with claim 1, wherein said baffletapers inwardly moving from said top to said bottom thereof.
 4. Thespill-preventing lid in accordance with claim 1, wherein said baffle isformed integrally with said lid body.
 5. The spill-preventing lid inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said bottom of said baffle is tilted.6. The spill-preventing lid in accordance with claim 1, wherein saidwall has a front, a rear, a first side and a generally opposing secondside.
 7. The spill-preventing lid in accordance with claim 6, whereinsaid rear of said wall extends downwardly farther than said front ofsaid wall.
 8. The spill-preventing lid in accordance with claim 1,wherein said at least one opening comprises a plurality of openings. 9.The spill-preventing lid in accordance with claim 1, wherein saidperipheral flange is configured to engage a rim of a cup.
 10. Thespill-preventing lid in accordance with claim 1, wherein said passagehas a cross-sectional shape which is generally the same as across-sectional shape of said drink opening.
 11. The spill-preventinglid in accordance with claim 1, wherein said bottom of said baffle doesnot extend downwardly below said flange.
 12. The spill-preventing lid inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said container comprises a can and saidperipheral flange is configured to engage a wall of said can at a top ofsaid can.
 13. A method of forming a spill-preventing lid for a containercomprising: molding, as a unitary body, said lid comprising a lid bodyhaving a top, a bottom and a peripheral flange, a drink opening in saidlid body and a spill-preventing baffle, said baffle comprising a wallextending downwardly from said bottom of said lid body, said bafflehaving a top and a bottom, said top of said baffle communicating withsaid drink opening and a passage leading from said bottom to said top;and creating at least one opening in at least one of said bottom andsaid wall of said baffle, said at least one opening communicating withsaid passage, said at least one opening allowing liquid to flow fromsaid container into said baffle, though said passaged defined by saidbaffle and to said drink opening, said at least one opening in saidbottom being substantially smaller in dimension than the dimension ofsaid drink opening.
 14. The method in accordance with claim 13, whereinsaid step of creating said at least one opening comprises piercing saidbottom of said baffle.
 15. The method in accordance with claim 13,wherein said step of creating said at least one opening comprisesdirecting a beam of a laser at said bottom of baffle.
 16. The method inaccordance with claim 13, wherein said baffle tapers inwardly movingfrom said top to said bottom thereof.
 17. The method in accordance withclaim 13, wherein said wall has a front, a rear, a first side and agenerally opposing second side.
 18. The method in accordance with claim17, wherein said rear of said wall extends downwardly farther than saidfront of said wall.
 19. The method in accordance with claim 13, whereinsaid peripheral flange is configured to engage a rim of a cup.
 20. Themethod in accordance with claim 13, wherein said bottom of said baffledoes not extend downwardly below said flange.
 21. The method inaccordance with claim 13, wherein said step of creating comprisesorienting said lid body so that said bottom of said baffle facesupwardly and pressing a piercing member downwardly through said bottomof said baffle.
 22. The method in accordance with claim 13, wherein saidpassage has a cross-sectional shape which is generally the same as across-sectional shape of said drink opening.
 23. The method inaccordance with claim 13, further comprising the step of connecting saidlid to an upwardly extending wall of a can.